Handcuff cover assembly

ABSTRACT

A cover assembly which is applied to conventional handcuffs for the purpose of restraining prisoner hand movement for safety purposes. The cover assembly consists of a hinged body which is applied over the handcuff wristlets so as to form a rigid link therebetween which precludes relative rotational movement of the wristlets. The cover assembly also encloses the conventional wristlet locks on the handcuffs so as to positively prevent prisoner access to these locks.

United States Patent [1 1 Stefansen et al.

[ June 26, 1973 HANDCUFF COVER ASSEMBLY [76] Inventors: Kaj E. Stefansen, 207 St. Louis, Avenue; Jack D. Cullip, 405 Marvin Avenue, both of Milan, Mich.

[22] Filed: July 27, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 166,398

[52] US. Cl. 70/16 [51] Int. Cl E05b 75/00 [58] Field of Search 70/16, 455, l5, 17,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Rosenthal 70/16 3,616,665 ll/l97l Primary Examiner-Robert L. Wolfe Attorney-Finn G. Olsen et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A cover assembly which is applied to conventional handcuffs for the purpose of restraining prisoner hand movement for safety purposes. The cover assembly consists of a hinged body which is applied over the handcuff wristlets so as to form a rigid link therebetween which precludes relative rotational movement of the wristlets. The cover assembly also encloses the conventional wristlet locks on the handcuffs so as to positively prevent prisoner access to these locks.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDmzs I975 3. 740.977

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. id lfz cg g I .220? J. di /Za HANDCUFF COVER ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The handcuffs that have been traditionally used for prisoner restraint purposes are objectionable from the standpoint of safety for several reasons. First of all, since the handcuff wristlets are connected by a chain, the prisoner is free to move one wrist relative to the other and thus manipulate his hands with a relatively large degree of freedom. Also, the wristlet locks are accessible so that they can be picked by the prisoner or another party. The principal object of this invention, therefore, is to provide a handcuff cover assembly which can be assembled with conventional handcuffs so as to improve the safety features thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The handcuff cover assembly of this invention consists of a body, conveniently molded of plastic or metal, which is formed in a pair of plate shape sections each of which has an inner face and an outer face. The plate sections are hinged together along one edge so that they can be moved to positions in which the inner faces are engaged. The inner faces are configured so that when engaged they form an internal cavity in the body, the cavity having irregularly shaped end portions and a channel shape center portion. The irregularly shaped end portions are stepped and are of a configuration to receive the inner portions of different models of con- -ventional handcuff wristlets. The cavity end portions are also large engough to enclose the locks associated with the wristlets. The chain which connects the wristlets tits in the channel shape center portion of the cavity which connects the end portions. A generally U- shaped retainer member fits over the body sections so as to prevent hinging movement of the body sections away from each other and the retainer member and the body sections are formed with aligned slots. A padlock can be inserted through the aligned slots or the conventional belly chain can be assembled with the slots, and looped around the prisoners waist. Thus, when the cover assembly of this invention is applied to prisoner installed handcuffs, the assembly positively precludes relative rotational movement of the handcuff wristlets and positively prevents access to the wristlet locks. As a result, the prisoners hands are effectively restrained and undesirable unlocking of the wristlets is impossible.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the handcuff cover assembly of this invention, showing the cover in an open position;

FIG; 2 is a perspective view of the handcuff cover assembly of this invention showing the cover assembly in a closed position prior to installation of the retainer member thereon;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the handcuff cover assembly of this invention shown in assembly relation with a set of handcuffs and a belly chain, only a portion of which is shown;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the handcuff cover assembly of this invention, shown in assembly relation with a set of handcuffs, with some parts broken away and other parts shown in section for the purpose of clarity; and 3 FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the handcuff cover assembly of this invention shown in assembly relation with a belly chain.

With reference to the drawing, the handcuff cover assembly of this invention, indicated generally at 10, is shown in FIG. 1 as consisting of a body 12, formed of two generally plate shape sections 14 and 16 which are hingedly connected by a hinge rod 18 for movement between the open position shown in FIG. 1 and the closed position shown in FIG. 2. Each of the sections 14 and 16 has an inner face 20 and an outer face 22. Each of the inner faces 20 is configured so that when the faces 20 are in engagement, in closed positions of the sections 14 and 16 shown in FIG. 2, the body 12 has an internal cavity 24 of a predetermined shape. The cavity 24 has irregularly shaped end portions 26 which are connected by a center channel shape section 28.

Each of the end portions 26 is provided with a step 30 for a purpose to appear presently.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cavity 24 is shaped to receive the major portion of a set of handcuffs, indicated generally at 32. The handcuffs 32 consist of a pair of expansible and retractable wristlets 34 which are connected by a chain 36. When each of the wristlets is contracted about a prisoners wrist, it is locked in the contracted position until released by unlocking of an associated lock 38. The provision of the step 30 in each of the cavity end portions 26 adapts the end portion 26 for receiving different models of standard handcuff sets 32. In the handcuff set 32 illustrated in FIG. 4, the inner portions of the wristlets 34 rest on the steps 30. In another form of handcuff set 32, the inner portions of the wristlets 34 fit in the cavityend portions 24 between the steps 30.

In the use of the assembly 10, the body 12 is moved to the open position shown in FIG. 1, the set of hand cuffs 32 is placed between the body sections 14 and 16 as shown in FIG. 4'and the body 12 is then closed so that the portions of the handcuffs 32 between the wristlet openings are enclosed within the cover 12 and postioned within the cavity 24 with the body faces 20 in engagement. A generally U-shaped retainer member 40 is then telescoped over the body 12 in grooves 42 formed in the outer faces 22 for this purpose. When the retainer member 40 is moved to a stop position against the outer edge 44 of the body 12, slots 46 in the retainer member 40 are alignable with slots 48 formed in the cover sections 14 and 16. A simple padlock (not shown) can then be extended through the aligned slots 46 and 48 to positively prevent opening of the cover assembly 12. In the alternative, a belly chain pin 50 can be extended through the aligned slots, one end 52 of the belly chain is attached to the pin 50, the belly chain 54 is then extended about the waist of the prisoner, attached through the pin 50 and secured by padlock 56 or attached clip. This arrangement positively precludes the prisoner from manipulating his arms or his hands to unlock the handcuffs 32.

From the above description it is seen that this invention provides a handcuff cover assembly 10 which is readily installed on conventional handcuffs 32 so as to make the handcuffs 32 effective in restraining prisoner movement and eliminate the unsafe features now present in the use of handcuffs by themselves.

What is claimed is:

1. For use with a set of handcuffs which includes a pair of expansible and contractible wristlet units and a chain connected to and extending between said units, a handcuff cover assembly comprising a body releasably mounted on said wristlets so as to form a rigid link therebetween precluding relative rotational movement of said wristlets.

2. A handcuff cover assembly according to claim 1 wherein each of said units includes lock means for maintaining said units in preset contracted positions and wherein said body overlies said lock means for precluding access thereto.

3. A handcuff cover assembly according to claim 1 wherein said body comprises a pair of relatively movable connected sections movable between open and closed positions, means forming a cavity in said body in said closed position thereof shaped to enclose portions of said wristlet units and said chain, and means engageable with said body to maintain said sections in closed positions.

4. A handcuff cover assembly according to claim 3 wherein said movable sections are hinge connected.

5. A handcuff cover assembly according to claim 4 wherein said means for maintaining said sections in closed positions comprises a substantially U-shape retaining member telescoped over said sections in the closed positions thereof so as to preclude movement thereof to said open position.

6. A handcuff cover assembly comprising a body formed of a pair of plate shape sections, each of said sections having ends and an inner face and an outer face, said inner faces being configured to form an internal cavity in said body when said inner faces are engaged, said cavity having irregularly shaped end portions open to the ends of said sections and a channel shape center portion extending between said end portions, hinge means connecting said sections for relative movement between positions in which said inner faces are engaged and positions in which said inner faces are spaced, and removable retainer means operable to engage said body so as to maintain said inner faces in engagement.

7. A handcuff cover assembly according to claim 6 wherein said removable retainer means comprises a substantially U-shape member telescoped over said body to a stop position, and means providing substantially aligned openings in said U-shape member and said body in said stop position of said U-shape member.

8. A handcuff cover assembly according to claim 7 wherein each of said sections has a pair of edges, said hinge means is connected to one of the edges of each of said sections, said U-shaped member is telescoped over the opposite edges of said sections, and said outer faces are grooved to accommodate said U-shape member.

9. A handcufi' cover assembly according to claim 6 wherein said cavity end portions are shaped to accommodate portions of handcuff wristlets, said cavity end portions being provided with internal steps to thereby adapt said cavity end portions for wristlets of different shapes. 

1. For use with a set of handcuffs which includes a pair of expansible and contractible wristlet units and a chain connected to and extending between said units, a handcuff cover assembly comprising a body releasably mounted on said wristlets so as to form a rigid link therebetween precluding relative rotational movement of said wristlets.
 2. A handcuff cover assembly according to claim 1 wherein each of said units includes lock means for maintaining said units in preset contracted positIons and wherein said body overlies said lock means for precluding access thereto.
 3. A handcuff cover assembly according to claim 1 wherein said body comprises a pair of relatively movable connected sections movable between open and closed positions, means forming a cavity in said body in said closed position thereof shaped to enclose portions of said wristlet units and said chain, and means engageable with said body to maintain said sections in closed positions.
 4. A handcuff cover assembly according to claim 3 wherein said movable sections are hinge connected.
 5. A handcuff cover assembly according to claim 4 wherein said means for maintaining said sections in closed positions comprises a substantially U-shape retaining member telescoped over said sections in the closed positions thereof so as to preclude movement thereof to said open position.
 6. A handcuff cover assembly comprising a body formed of a pair of plate shape sections, each of said sections having ends and an inner face and an outer face, said inner faces being configured to form an internal cavity in said body when said inner faces are engaged, said cavity having irregularly shaped end portions open to the ends of said sections and a channel shape center portion extending between said end portions, hinge means connecting said sections for relative movement between positions in which said inner faces are engaged and positions in which said inner faces are spaced, and removable retainer means operable to engage said body so as to maintain said inner faces in engagement.
 7. A handcuff cover assembly according to claim 6 wherein said removable retainer means comprises a substantially U-shape member telescoped over said body to a stop position, and means providing substantially aligned openings in said U-shape member and said body in said stop position of said U-shape member.
 8. A handcuff cover assembly according to claim 7 wherein each of said sections has a pair of edges, said hinge means is connected to one of the edges of each of said sections, said U-shaped member is telescoped over the opposite edges of said sections, and said outer faces are grooved to accommodate said U-shape member.
 9. A handcuff cover assembly according to claim 6 wherein said cavity end portions are shaped to accommodate portions of handcuff wristlets, said cavity end portions being provided with internal steps to thereby adapt said cavity end portions for wristlets of different shapes. 